Freedomain Radio

 I had a brief introduction to FDR and Stefans ideas a while back and was signed in under the name of Seneca.

Well, its been a bit of a rollercoaster, I would suggest putting in a disclaimer on the boards for someone like myself.  Something along the lines of, "Don't post on the boards without listening to podcasts, unless you don't mind looking like an arse"

I am absolutely astounded at the ideas in the psychological podcasts and how much they permeate my life and existence.  It is fair to say I've lost all interest in the political side of things until I've finished sorting through the mess that is my own personal existance and relationships.  There is little doubt in my mind that at present I am a fairly corrupt and troubled individual.  Prone to high amounts of passive aggression and anger stemming from unresolved issues in my life.  There have been some fairly negative influences in my life and I'm pleased to say I have through a confluence of events, lost quite a few of them. 

So anyway its all great stuff.   I've got some financial and health problems to sort out but I will donate as soon as humanly possible.  So far I've had about 60+ hours of Stef's time through podcasts and I am thoroughly grateful for it and will happily part with some sterling in return for that.

Pete

Welcome, my friend.

Hi, welcome back, great to have you with us! It certainly is true that we need to clean up our own lives before we start talking about how society as a whole should work, and I completely applaud your courage and honesty in taking that approach - it is unfortunately all too rare in those who are very interested in politics!  I think that you are embarking on an amazing journey, and the only one that I know of that can really change the world, and I think that you should absolutely take a bow...

Welcome Pete,

I think you are making some enlightening steps in a positive direction. If you want to get in touch i'm always up for a chat if i'm around.

Tom

 Just using this thread as a bit of a commentary.

I was confused by the comment in podcast zero about being comfortable with self defence, if only because although I didn't really see it at first I do see the case for pacifism.  Though I do not agree that just because a given example is rare and perhaps statistically so rare you can't count it the fact is that you do have to take it into account.  For any moral principle to be correct it must be consistent, therefore the fact that an issue is rare is irrelevant if it exists.  Is it right to defend your family or not?  At least thats what I got from the first 8 podcasts relative to the 5th podcast.

Always having been a bit of a misanthrope for various reasons, the increasing isolation that gradual acceptance of this philosophy can bring doesn't really effect me.  It is apparent in others that I have introduced to the podcasts.  They've felt seperate before but the minority that they feel seperated from appears to grow with every set of podcasts listened to.  My response and they're own is that despite that six weeks of listening to podcasts has been a life changing experience that is entirely positive and more condusive to happiness than any other thing.

There is something that worries me greatly about the way people deal with death.  I see it in the pet shop, whenever -insert generic random pet for childrens sake, despite apparent cruelty said pets existance- dies that parent will come in desperate for a solution to hide the death from the child.  This is just a small example of the horrific way that western culture feels about death.  After listening to the podcasts someone not initiated deeply in rationalism and atheism before is forced to re-evaluate the acceptance of the deaths undergone in their own lives and in some ways to re-experience the grief again.

The apple no longer seems real at all (I am listening in order but that was a random thing - how to control a human soul I love it)

Anyway I'm not specifically looking for answers here but as I listen to the podcasts I'd like to start taking a record of my thoughts and conversations about them.

Edit:  and the reason I'm not looking for answers right now, is not to waste anyones time.  I've another 1000 podcasts to go so I don't really want to ask any questions right now until I've listened to the rest to make sure I'm not making stef repeat himself.

 Another question that came up is the problem of violent criminals, in the conversation I failed to consider the fact that while I worry about where a serial killer will be dealt with in a DRO I ignore the fact that while worrying about a miniscule incident of violence I am ignoring the huge amount of violence that isn't miniscule in its incidence and that is the state, the police, the army and situations like Iraq (which is simply the most well represented in the media).  If I'm going to concern myself with how violence is dealt with then perhaps its sensible to deal with the huge amounts of stuff in my face than the minor incidents that are statistically miniscule.

On a seperate issue is the concept of justice in todays society simply another word for revenge.  I can't see the justice in locking up a normal member of society who happened to prefer a joint to a pint to be raped or beaten every day, psychologically desensitised and corrupted sometimes to the point of no return just so people can feel that their vision of a social agenda is enforced and inherent in that their own little concept of justice.  For the victims of serious violent crime, I think justice then becomes a way to assuage their pain at what has happened to them.  Why does torturing the person who did this thing to you or your family make it better?  Is this a kickback to judeo christian morality I don't get?  I think violent people or people who can't function in any sort of society you imagine regardless of political form do need to be dealt with, but I don't get 'justice'

This all came about because of a podcast we were discussing that I haven't listened to yet, I'll be listening to it today and I'll revise my thoughts accordingly.  I do like the ability to note my thoughts first then see how my perspective changes though.

That is a wonderful leap forward in perspective and wisdom, if you don't me saying so, and I think that you should be very proud of that enormous piece of conceptual progress!

In addition, if we are very worried about the existence and prevalence of violent criminals, we should be much more assertive in opposing the state, since we would not want to give violent criminals control over a monopoly police force, Navy, Air Force and Army -- or prison system, for that matter.

 Does anyone else take notes?  Any tips on shorthand writing?  Typically its a podcast = 2-3 A4 pages though writing speed is an issue and requires some pausing.

I find that especially with the early podcasts it is neccessary to take notes because even after the second listen I still sometimes struggle to retain facts arguements and the sequential reasoning that is used.  Write it down once, and its committed to memory oddly enough.  Something about the way the brain works I guess.

 We are also trying to get some transcriptions down...

 I don't think reading it would be the same but having transcripts would be good generally.

If you listen to something and write it down you are forced to paraphrase and perhaps it focuses your attention to the words as you are having to listen for the pertinent most striking points and note them down makes you commit them to memory.  In some ways the notes aren't as neccessary as the note taking I find.

A friend of mine does much the same with spider diagrams of each podcast.

Anecdotally listening to the drug wars on the way to the pub and found it very interesting.  Half way through the night there was a huge raid, drug dogs and riot vans with teams of police coming in and checking each person with the dogs just in case they committed that heinous crime of having a non sanctioned drug in what is essentially a huge (legal) drug dealing establishment.  The irony and coincidence was amusing.

 It takes a hell of a lot of courage to say what you did in your first post here.  I salute you, good sir.  :)